Driving Fuel Consumption, Costs and Prices Down with Local Produce from Buurma Farms

Our commitment to buying local includes a longstanding partnership with Buurma Farms, a fifth generation family farm in Ohio that provides Meijer with green onions, radishes and fresh greens.

Meijer has been buying local since we were founded. With the focus on local produce more important than ever to our customers, we’ve significantly expanded our efforts over the past decade. Meijer works with more than 125 local growers – up 25 percent from two years ago. Meijer has had a strong, longstanding partnership with Buurma Farms, a fifth generation family farm in Willard, Ohio.

For more than 25 years ago, Meijer has purchased green onions, radishes and greens from Buurma Farms. Loren Buurma operates the more than 3,000-acre farm across three states – Ohio, Michigan and Georgia – with several family members, including his son. By purchasing from local growers like Buurma Farms, Meijer is able to cut fuel consumption, which is not only good for the environment, but also helps reduce transportation costs and keeps fresh produce prices down for our customers.

“Buying local makes sense. It supports the local economy through jobs and capital expenditures … and it diminishes the carbon footprint because of its proximity to market so highway miles and fuel consumption are kept to a minimum,” Buurma said.